Helen Theodore, beloved wife of the late Nicholas; loving mother of Christine (Arthur) Lyon and the late Mari (Neel) Davis; dear grandmother of Niki (Mark) Moranville; proud greatgrandmother of Maia Eleni Moranville; survived by two sisters in Greece and many nieces and nephews. Visitation Monday 8:30 a.m. until time of service 9:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 10301 S. Kolmar Ave., Oak Lawn. Interment Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Edythe Melhus-Wax, beloved wife of the late Jerold Wax and George Melhus; loving mother of Martin Melhus and Lorna (Dr. Raymond) Richards; loving grandmother of Derek Tellin, John Richards, Adina and Maia Melhus; dear sister of Elsie Minkus and Robert Pearlman. Service Monday, 2 p.m. at the Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum, 9900 Gross Point Road, Skokie. In lieu of flowers contributions to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by TheWeinstein Funeral Home, 847-256-5700.

Joe Nemechek took advantage of Matt Kenseth's late-race blunder Saturday and became the first driver in 17 years at Dover International Speedway to win a NASCAR Busch Series race from the pole. Winston Cup points leader Kenseth dominated the race in Dover, Del., but missed a shift on a restart on the 155th lap of the MBNA 200. He was hit by Brian Vickers and tried to finish with his rear bumper askew and his left rear fender bent upward. But Kenseth spun out on Lap 179, giving fast-closing fellow Cup racer Nemechek the lead.

Ballerinas tend to dread "Nutcracker" season--five weeks of back-to-back performances that strain feet, tempers and tolerance for waltzing flowers. But Sugar Plum Fairy Maia Wilkins remains enchanted by Robert Joffrey's update of the classic. "There's just this magic," she says. "It represents the image so many people have of the ballerina. Not just the 21st Century athletic artist but also the tiara, the whole thing." Wilkins longed for her tiara early, even though small-town Truckee, Calif.

Mellow incense wafts through the rambling white house, floating with the lilting sounds of a female voice stretching and bending as it begins to warm up for the workout ahead. One by one, the women enter, lugging strangely shaped leather cases, duffel bags and suitcases that clunk and rattle. Wraps are shed, revealing funky ensembles that draw on influences ranging from Africa to lumberjacks to a dancer's closet. With a zip and a pull, the suitcases are opened, unveiling a saxophone, flute, sitar, electric bass guitar, congas and an assortment of gourds and rattles that join the harp and xylophone that are sitting in the spare room.